DGP's initiative evokes lukewarm response

[email protected] (Raghava M, The Hindu)
April 5, 2011

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Mangalore, April 5: The response to the move of the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police, S.T. Ramesh, asking people to mail him directly their grievances about the police had been lukewarm.

“I have been receiving about 20 e-mails every day. While some are junk, the others are sent to Additional Director-General of Police (Grievance and Human Rights) and Superintendents of Police concerned for action,” Mr. Ramesh said and added: “I want more mails.”

This new mode of grievance redress was launched by Mr. Ramesh on March 15. He had asked people having grievance, including non-registration of cognisable cases, to approach him by sending e-mail to [email protected] or to Additional Director-General of Police (Grievances and Human Rights) Om Prakash ([email protected]).

This was in addition to the existing modes for grievance redress. While there are help desks at the offices of the Police Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, a toll-free number (18004250100) has been set up to receive complaints and grievances at the office of the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police.

Mr. Ramesh said the new avenue would be for those who had found it hard to get their grievances redressed from the existing modes. “It is an initiative towards receiving all the complaints,” Mr. Ramesh told The Hindu.

The successive DGP-IGPs had been trying to address the problem of non-registration of complaints and not giving copy of the First Information Report (FIR). The then DG-IGP R. Srikumar in September 2008 started the toll-free number (18004250100), which is not only meant for airing grievance but also providing information to police. His successor, Ajai Kumar Singh, put in place a help desk at the Commissionerates and at the offices of the Superintendent of Police.

This desk, which functions throughout the day, receives complaints about non-registration and follow-up actions taken.

It was on the directions of Mr. Ajai Kumar Singh that every police station observed third Sunday of each month as Complainants Day when people could approach the police to get details of the progress made with regard to their complaints.

Mangalore Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told The Hindu that since one year into functioning of the help desk, there had not been a single complaint of refusal to register FIRs. “The complaints are being promptly registered and none have approached the desk so far,” said Mr. Singh. With regard to the response to Complainants Day, Mr. Singh said the number of visits of the complainants had considerably come down.

The previous Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada A. Subramanyeshwara Rao said 28 cases had been registered through the help desk since last year. A majority of these cases related to land disputes and counter allegations. “Disciplinary action has been taken where officer has been found to have deliberately not registered a complaint,” he said.

IVRS facility soon

Mr. Singh said that an IVRS (Integrated Voice Response System) facility would be opened to give details of action taken on petitions.

A beginning will be made by opening the facility at his office. “The work is almost over. We are waiting for the telephone connection,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu.

Mr. Singh said the IVRS facility would be extended to all police stations in Mangalore. “You will get details about the progress made on the petitions, including the officers dealing with them,” Mr. Singh said.

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Udupi, Nov 11: The Karkala town police in Udupi have arrested Krishna Naik, the sculptor responsible for installing a 33-foot Parashurama statue at Umikkal Hill in Bailur, Karkala taluk. 

Naik, the owner of Krish Art World and a resident of Bengaluru's Visvesvaraya Layout, was apprehended in Mahe, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, for allegedly substituting a look-alike statue in place of a genuine bronze figure at the Parashurama Theme Park in Karkala.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K confirmed the arrest, stating that Naik faces charges under Sections 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code. 

This legal action followed a complaint lodged in June by Krishna Shetty, a resident of Nallur village, Karkala. Shetty claimed that Naik had received a payment of ₹1,25,50,000 from Udupi Nirmithi Kendra for the installation of a bronze Parashurama statue. However, Naik allegedly deceived the government by installing a replica instead.

The statue was unveiled on January 27, 2023, by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has since ordered a CID investigation to probe deeper into the alleged fraud surrounding the statue's installation at the theme park.

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coastaldigest.com news network
November 5,2024

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Mangaluru: The Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has initiated the groundwork for the much-anticipated Mangaluru Water Metro Project (MWMP). The project, which was first announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the state budget presentation, aims to introduce water-based public transport along the Gurupur and Netravathi rivers in Mangaluru.

The proposed Mangaluru Water Metro will follow in the footsteps of Kochi's successful Water Metro system, which has become a model for eco-friendly and efficient urban transport in India. The KMB will now conduct necessary feasibility studies to assess how this concept can be adapted to Mangaluru's unique geographical and urban landscape.

A 30-Kilometer Stretch Connecting 17 Key Locations
According to a senior officer from KMB, the project will span a 30-kilometer route that connects key points across the rivers and coastline. The water metro service will cover locations such as Bajal, Kulur Bridge, New Mangaluru Port, Sultan Battery, Tannirbhavi, Old Port, Hoige Bazaar, and Someshwar Temple. The service aims to link 17 important points, benefiting both daily commuters and tourists. This initiative not only seeks to reduce congestion in Mangaluru but also promises to boost tourism and recreational activities by providing an alternative mode of transport.

Focus on Eco-Friendly and Efficient Water Transport
The Mangaluru Water Metro will feature modern catamaran boats, which may be powered by electric or diesel engines. These boats will be equipped with essential amenities to ensure smooth and safe operations. The project’s emphasis on sustainability means that the boat fleet will be designed to minimize environmental impact, making water transport both eco-friendly and economically viable.

Feasibility Study to Shape Project Design
The initial feasibility report will cover several crucial aspects, including the placement of water metro stations. These locations will be chosen based on factors such as passenger demand, availability of land, connectivity to other transport modes, and sustainability. A detailed LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey will further aid in mapping the river routes and surrounding areas, providing precise data for the project’s planning phase.

In addition to assessing operational needs, the feasibility study will also project future demand for water metro services over the next 25 years. By exploring various scenarios, planners can ensure that the water metro is designed to accommodate both current and future user requirements.

Special Purpose Vehicle for Project Management
The report is expected to recommend creating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage the project. This independent entity would help secure funding, attract investors, and ensure professional oversight, enhancing the project's credibility and long-term viability.

What is the Mangaluru Water Metro Project?
The Mangaluru Water Metro Project aims to introduce a sustainable water-based public transport system to alleviate traffic congestion in the city and promote tourism. Inspired by the Kochi Water Metro, the project will create a seamless and eco-friendly transport option along the Gurupur and Netravathi rivers, covering key points across the city’s riverside and coastal areas.

Once operational, the Mangaluru Water Metro will offer a modern, efficient, and scenic alternative to road transport, helping transform urban mobility in the city while boosting tourism and reducing environmental impact.

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News Network
November 3,2024

Mangaluru, Nov 3: Mangaluru police have apprehended two individuals connected to a major online purchasing scam, seizing assets worth ₹11.45 lakh. The suspects, Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27), hail from Rajasthan and are accused of fraudulently acquiring high-value electronics through deceptive orders.

Background of the Case

According to City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, the case began with a fraudulent order placed through an international e-commerce company. Using a false identity under the name "Amrith," the suspects ordered two high-end Sony cameras along with ten other items, directing the delivery to an address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru on September 21 at 4 p.m.

The Scam Unfolds

During delivery, Raj Kumar Meena received the items by providing a delivery OTP, while Subhash Gurjar reportedly distracted the delivery personnel. The suspects then executed a sticker-swapping tactic, replacing original Sony camera box labels with stickers from other items in the order to mislead the delivery team. Meena also intentionally provided an incorrect OTP, causing further confusion. The duo told the delivery agent they would collect the cameras the next day, then sent him away before cancelling the camera order.

Detection and Arrest

The unusual activity raised suspicions, and upon inspection, Amazon’s delivery partner, Mahindra Logistics, discovered the sticker swap and alerted Amazon. Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects had taken the genuine cameras and left behind tampered boxes.

Upon deeper investigation, CCTV footage and other tracking methods led the police to identify and pursue the suspects as they attempted to flee the city. Meena was initially detained by the Salem police on October 4 for a similar scam and subsequently transferred to Urwa police custody in Mangaluru. Following his 13-day custody beginning on October 18, which included a thorough probe in both Mangaluru and Jaipur, Subhash Gurjar was apprehended on October 21.

Broader Criminal Network

The arrested individuals are allegedly part of a larger network, with involvement in at least 12 other high-profile cases. Their targets included high-end cameras, iPhones, and laptops, each costing over ₹10 lakh, with cases registered across states like Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

The seized assets, valued at ₹11.45 lakh, have been presented to the court as evidence, and investigations continue as authorities seek to dismantle this organized fraud operation.

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